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Breakfast with Santa and Pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut

Find the best spots for breakfast with Santa and pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut in 2022! Photo by Ally Noel
Find the best spots for breakfast with Santa and pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut in 2022! Photo by Ally Noel
11/13/22 - By Jennifer Coe

The 2022 holiday season is here, and with it are great opportunities for breakfast with Santa and pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut. So how does Santa do it? He gets all the presents ready in time for Christmas and still make time for Connecticut kids too! If your kids have a secret request to whisper in Santa's ear, there are plenty of places to go and see him, such as Santa's arrival in Mystic him. Best of all, come home with a photo and maybe a little treat. Some Christmas encounters, like breakfast on the farm or brunch and a visit to Santa's workshop, combine time with Santa with enough bacon, pancakes and hot cocoa to inspire a long winter's nap. The photo opportunities, like Luminaria at the Nature Center, will provide the family with a cherished keepsake of a moment in time. Read on for our top picks for breakfast with Santa and pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut.

Tip: Book seats for your little elves now, because some of these events with Santa fill up fast! Check to see if photo opportunities require pre-registration, as many of them do. For other Santa sightings around Connecticut, check  out our favorite New England holiday activities. And start a new tradition with 20 Fun Christmas Games for the Whole Family.

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West Hartford's Pond House Cafe hosts brunch with Santa. Photo courtesy of the Cafe
West Hartford's Pond House Cafe hosts brunch with Santa. Photo courtesy of the Cafe

Brunches and Breakfast with Santa - Hartford Area

Pond House Brunch With Santa

West Hartford—Saturday, November 26 & Sunday, November 27, 2022
Breakfast with Santa is back this year, at America's oldest public garden. Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet, kids get to take home a gingerbread house to decorate, a special visit with Santa and a holiday photo. READ MORE

Visits on the Farm With Santa and Friends

Simsbury—Saturday, December 3, 2022
Visit with Santa, then take a trolley ride with Frosty out to Reindeer Land. Visit the outdoor petting zoo and get a free cup of feed for the animals. Cider and donuts also available. Breakfast sandwiches, coffee and cider available. Please reserve your seats! READ MORE

Hartland Breakfast With Santa

East Hartland—Saturday, December 10, 2022
Come have a pancake breakfast and do some shopping with Santa at the East Hartland Firehouse. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Stew Leonard's Newington

Newington—Saturday, December 17, 2022
Families are invited to have breakfast with Santa and his friends. A buffet-style breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, assorted bagels, fruit salad, donuts, and yogurt will be serve accompanied by coffee and a hot cocoa bar! READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Holcomb Farm

West Granby—Sunday, December 11, 2022
Enjoy a continental breakfast with Santa at the beautiful Holcomb Farm North Barn Pavilion. Breakfast will include pastries, bagels, fruit, coffee, hot chocolate and juice. Kids can get their picture taken with Santa, create a holiday craft, and decorate a cookie with Mrs. Claus. Limited seats available. READ MORE

Santa's Brunch

Burlington—Saturday, November 26, 2022
What's better than a tasty meal, hot chocolate and Santa himself? Brunch with Santa is back.  Enjoy a buffet style brunch before heading into Santa's Workshop for crafts, cookie decorating and a chance to tell Santa what is on your wish list this year! Pricing Includes: brunch buffet/ carving station, hot cocoa bar with toppings, hot coffee, decorate your own Christmas cookies, decorate a Christmas ornament or make your own reindeer food. Reservations required. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa and Vendor Fair

Vernon—Saturday, December 10, 2022
Come have breakfast with Santa, make a card for a veteran, enjoy cookies and milk, do your last-minute shopping and get a toy! READ MORE
Make lasting holiday memories through a visit with St. Nick! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
Make lasting holiday memories through a visit with St. Nick! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards

Brunches and Breakfast with Santa in Central Connecticut

Brunch with Santa at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield

Middlefield—Weekends, December 3 - December 18, 2022
Meet, greet and eat brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus this Holiday Season at the 1741 Pub & Grill at Lyman Orchards Golf Course. Treat the whole family to a holly, jolly time with a full brunch buffet featuring festive holiday favorites.  Be sure to bring along your camera to capture magical memories with Santa and crew at Lyman Orchards. Sittings at 9a and 11a. READ MORE

Brunch With Santa at Water's Edge

Westbrook—Sunday, December 4 & Sunday, December 11, 2022
Have a brunch at the scenic Waters Edge Resort and Spa. Reservations required. Santa will be there from 11a to 2pm. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station

Haddam—Sunday, December 11, 2022
Two seatings with Santa available. Huge menu to choose from including pancakes, waffle station, bacon and fresh fruit. Hot cocoa bar and more! Complimentary photo with Santa. READ MORE

Brunch with Santa Clause

Old Saybrook—Sunday, December 4, 2022
Join Saybrook Marina for brunch with a very special visitor! Enjoy all the flavors of the season and snap some photos with Santa Clause while enjoying the holiday spirit. READ MORE

Brunch with Santa

New Haven—Sunday, December18, 2022
Sit down to brunch with the man in red. Enjoy five different food stations including pasta, breakfast, the carving station and a children's station too. Bring you camera to take pictures with Santa and each child will go home with something special. Prepaid reservations are required. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa

Madison—Sunday, December 11, 2022
Celebrate the holidays this year with some one on one time with Santa. Ticket includes: Breakfast Meet and Greet with Santa and a Photo Opp One bloody mary or mimosa for each adult A special treat bag for each child.   READ MORE

Santa Brunches and Breakfasts in Eastern Connecticut

Breakfast with Santa @ Foxwoods

Mashantucket—Saturday, December 3, 2022
Santa is making his list and checking it twice, but first, breakfast at Foxwoods sounds extra nice! Reserve a table for you and your family at Cedar's Restaurant. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Stew Leonards
Photo courtesy of Stew Leonards

Brunches and Breakfast with Santa in Western Connecticut

Breakfast with Santa at Stew Leonards Norwalk

Norwalk—Saturday, December 17, 2022
Families are invited to have breakfast with Santa and his friends! A buffet-style breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, assorted bagels, fruit and donuts, will be served accompanied by coffee and hot cocoa. Each child will be able to decorate a wooden ornament to take home. Limited seating available and registration must be made in advanced on our website. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa

Terryville—Sunday, December 18, 2022
Join the Terryville Fire Department as they host a free breakfast with Santa from 8am-Noon. Food will be served until it runs out! There will also be a photographer taking photo of the kids with Santa. Any monetary donations we receive will be donated to local charities. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa

Bridgeport—Sunday, November 26, 2022
Join Hub & Spoke for a breakfast buffet that will include a fireside chat with Old Saint Nick. Make sure you bring your camera! READ MORE
Tis the season for twinkling lights, trimmed trees, and pictures with Santa Claus! Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Greenwich
Tis the season for twinkling lights, trimmed trees, and pictures with Santa Claus! Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Greenwich

Pictures with Santa Claus in Western Connecticut

Candlelight at Bush-Holley Historic Site

Cos Cob—Saturday, December 10, 2022
Join interpreters leading “candlelight” tours through Bush-Holley House. This event is a part of the GHS Holiday Festival on Dec. 10.  Santa will be meeting with his fans from 5p to 7p for pictures. Tickets required. READ MORE

Hayrides with Santa at Fairview Tree Farm

Shelton—Weekends, December 3 - December 18, 2022
 A 30-minute tractor ride pulled through decorated and lit tree fields available on the weekends. See Santa from 12 to 3pm and maybe even take a ride with him. Reservations are required. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at the New Canaan Nature Center - SOLD OUT

New Canaan—Saturday, December 17, 2022
Come and be transported into a whole new world as the New Canaan Nature Center transforms into a Winter Wonderland filled with fun and exciting winter holiday activities for the entire family.  Visits & photos with Santa Holiday Trains – our giant model train depicts the town of New Canaan and more! Campfire complete with marshmallow roasting Holiday Crafts for kids Reindeer Games: ring the reindeer antlers, feed the snowman, and more! Wacky Winterland scavenger hunt and more READ MORE
Formal or candid, pictures with Santa are wonderful keepsakes! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
Formal or candid, pictures with Santa are wonderful keepsakes! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards

Pictures with Santa Claus in Central Connecticut

Storytelling and Santa at the Shops at Yale

New Haven—Weekends, November 26 - December 18, 2022
Multiple locations will be offering visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus where stories will be read and selfies can be taken with Santa.  READ MORE

Meriden Yulefest

Meriden—Friday, December 9, 2022
Santa comes to Meriden to help kick start the Holiday season. There will be vendors, food trucks, and entertainment and so much more.  Don't miss Santa coming to town via train. READ MORE

Visit Santa At The Shore Line Trolley Museum

East Haven—Weekends, November 25 - December 18, 2022
Come and take a ride to visit Santa!  Say “Hi” and grab your holiday photos!  Santa’s elves will be standing by to make sure every child gets their free gift.  Walk through our decorated trolley barns and take a ride on a real antique trolley car.   Our station and trolley yard will be decorated for the holidays so there are plenty of photo ops.    READ MORE

Brunch with Santa at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield

Middlefield—Weekends, December 3 - December 18, 2022
Meet, greet and eat brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus this Holiday Season at the 1741 Pub & Grill at Lyman Orchards Golf Course. Treat the whole family to a holly, jolly time with a full brunch buffet featuring festive holiday favorites.  Be sure to bring along your camera to capture magical memories with Santa and crew at Lyman Orchards. Sittings at 9a and 11a. READ MORE

Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited at the Naugatuck Railroad

Thomaston—Weekends, November 25 - December 23, 2022
The Naugatuck Railroad offers two different Christmas train experiences: the daytime Santa Express and the evening Northern Lights Limited.  READ MORE
Santa Claus is coming to town for pictures with Connecticut kids! Photo courtesy of Roaring Acre Farm
Santa Claus is coming to town for pictures with Connecticut kids! Photo courtesy of Roaring Acre Farm

Pictures with Santa Claus in Central Connecticut

Simsbury Celebrates

Simsbury—Saturday, November 26, 2022
Simsbury Celebrates is a free Community Holiday Celebration, traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. There will be a variety of events, including a parade and a spectacular fireworks show. Selfies with Santa will be on the Simsbury Lawn. READ MORE

Annual Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park

Manchester—December 10 & December 12 - 15, 2022
A free event sponsored by Wickham Park. Children of all ages enjoy visits with Santa and his elves and refreshments with Mrs. Claus. Santa's Workshop provides a chance for children to enjoy an uncommercialized Christmas experience. READ MORE

Annual Santa's Farm at Indian Rock

Bristol—Weekends, December 3 - December 11, 2022
Walk the grounds with Santa as you eat S'mores, drink hot chocolate, and sing carols. The farm will be lit up for the holidays. Each family will have a chance to talk to Santa and take pictures. READ MORE

Santa at Cabela's

East Hartford—November 5 - December 24, 2022
Santa is a big fan of fishing and camping so, he is arriving early at Cabela's. Bring your family to Cabela’s Christmas parade as Santa returns to open his Santa's Wonderland! Santa will be riding in on his decked out TRACKER boat with his elves. After you greet Santa, come in to the store for a Holiday Scavenger Hunt and take home a Santa’s Wonderland ornament. Santa's Wonderland will be open until December 24, 2022. Check website for days and times Santa will be at Cabela's. READ MORE

Santa Comes to Roaring Acres

Suffield—Weekends, November 25 - December 17, 2022
Santa Claus will be returning to Roaring Acres Alpacas for the third year in a row to celebrate the season with his farm friends! Families will have the opportunity to see Santa, capture the moment with photos, hangout with the alpacas, and do some shopping in our lovely Boutique. Santa will be collecting Christmas lists and checking them twice, so feel free to bring your lists with you. There will be a $5 donation/admission to the farm for each family who wishes to visit with Santa – this fee will go directly to the care of our farm animals and will be paid at the time of... READ MORE
Find a magical spot for your pictures with Santa Claus in 2022. Photo courtesy of Olde Mystick Village
Find a magical spot for your pictures with Santa Claus in 2022. Photo courtesy of Olde Mystick Village

Pictures with Santa Claus in Eastern Connecticut

Holiday Luminaria at the Nature Center

Mystic—Friday, December 9 - Sunday, December 11, 2022
Take a break from the bustle of the season and experience the wonder of a luminaria-lined walk in the woods. Wind through the Nature Center forest trails lit by the soft glow of more than 500 luminaria, then warm up by a festive fire with a hot apple cider or hot chocolate at the trailside Winter Cafe. READ MORE

Winter Wonder Day

New London—Saturday, December 2, 2022
Start your holiday season with a visit to our second annual Winter Wonder Day! Enjoy special crafts and activities inspired by the vibrant colors featured in our exhibition Chromatopia: Stories of Color in Art. Explore the Museum’s galleries, make fun art, and take photos with Santa. Fun for the whole family! READ MORE

Holiday Carnival at Olde Mistick Village

Mystic—Saturday, December 3, 2022
Stroll around the Olde Mistick Village to view custom decorated wreaths, enjoy live music, visit with Santa, find great gifts, and more.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

East Hartland Firehouse
First Congregational Church of Meriden